closed 🚗 everybody loves mushrooms

[mistsplitter]

WHO: Ayaka, Cloud, Yoimiya, and Tartaglia
WHAT: Double deito game night
WHEN: Early August
WHERE: Yoimiya's place
WARNINGS: None for now!

[ This has been a long time coming. Two best friends hang out with their boyfriends! (Or boyfriend and beau.) Fortunately, the cold weather has passed, and everything seems to be back to normal. Before ringing the doorbell to Yoimiya's apartment, Cloud and Ayaka stopped by a place to get some drinks and snacks to bring. There's tea leaves (because Ayaka...............), but it was Cloud's suggestion to buy some beers and a bottle of vodka. For snacks, a box of tiny cakes, a few bags of chips, and Yan Yans. They make for a good dessert!

Everyone's cheerful and in a good mood once introduction's have been made. Once the food's ready and everyone's seated, it's time to dig in! It's best to have a full stomach before playing a bunch of video games, after all. Whatever they may be... ]

What kind of games are we going to play? [ Ayaka does not know anything. ] There was a game that Cloud and I played recently. There was a tower made from blocks, and we would pull a block out, answer the question written on it, then put it at the top.

It was fun. The questions were a little embarrassing, though.

Comments

[mistsplitter]

[ Meanwhile, here's Ayaka who dropped her phone in shock after hearing what Yoimiya had to say.

It's still recording though, but at this point, it's just audio. ]

Cloud, please!

[ Of course he's getting scolded first. Ayaka is even redder than he is, and she looks so absolutely embarrassed and shocked and mortified right now. ]

Sh- Should we move on to another game, maybe?

[ Anything to get away from this topic already. Stop riding Tartaglia like a horse for now, Yoimiya. GET OFF HIM. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Oh goodness, these are priceless reactions from both Cloud and Ayaka. He turns his head to see the dropped phone on the floor and poor Ayaka's face, before turning it back to the spiky blonde, his eyes shining in amusement. Did he take it the wrong way? Guess Cloud was being literal in his question, but he's never heard any military guy use that phrase in any other way than talking about something dirty.

So naturally, he starts laughing, and hard. Plus, he's not letting Yoimiya get off his back, slowly standing up as he shoots his arms back to catch her legs so she doesn't fall off. Piggy back ride time.]

Ahahahaha-! Oh goodness! You guys are a riot, I'm in stitches here-!

[Shifting Yoimiya upwards so she sits better on his back, he walks outward so he can look at both Cloud and Ayaka, grinning from ear to ear.]

Oh, I haven't laughed like that in a long time. You two should've seen the looks on your faces! I don't normally kiss and tell like that, but...

[Worth]

[niwabi]

[ Oops. Judging from poor Ayaka and Cloud's flushed faces maybe, just maaaaaybe Yoimiya might have said a little TMI. She does feel bad watching her friend drop her phone in shock..... even if she can't stop the giggles from slipping out. Ah, poor sweet Ayaka. Making a note to treat her friend to a fun girl's day out to make up for embarrassing her. ]

Sorry, sorry! Couldn't help myself with that one.

[ Is she really sorry though???

Still, she can't stop the merry laughs from slipping out as Tartaglia pulls her into a piggyback ride! Weeee~! Getting comfortable, she wraps her arms around his shoulders, latching onto him like a blonde firecracker koala.]

Hey, don't be too mean to them, okay? Remember, you're still in hot water for being a huge brat.

[ And to prove her point, one of her hands reaches over to tug on his cheek! ]

Hehe, yeah! We can play another game if you guys like M▊▊▊▊ Party. Or... [ Uh oh, she's most definitely up to no good, grinning from ear to ear. ] maybe a piggyback race?

[ She just wants to see Ayaka ride Cloud tbh— ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Their brains all ultimately arrived at the same destination. And technically? Cloud started it. It was Yoimiya and Childe who finished. :) The four of them are now one collective, neuro network of laughter, embarrassment, thirst and shame. When he gets scolded first, he's flustered...and mayhaps looking a little ashamed. Don't pout beau. ]

S'cuse me.

[ But at least Tartaglia and Yoimiya were having a good time. ...at their expense. Don't shame them too hard, you two. :< They are closet filth. At least Cloud leans back onto his knees before pushing himself back up to his feet, pillow dangling in hand. Shaking his head, he tries to rid himself that fuzzy feeling in his brain, and clears his throat as if that was going to somehow dispel the blush.

Ahh. That was relatively harmless. They'll get over it. Eventually. ]

You're just trouble all-around.

[ Mr. Tartaglia. >:{ ... But he doesn't really mean that. Not in the contexts of this night. When Yoimiya suggests a game like M▊▊▊▊ Party? He puts his hands on his hips as if to step up to the plate and agree. But she tapers... Or...? Or... what?! ]

Piggyback?

[ He cocks an eyebrow...before taking a look over at Ayaka. As if he was looking for guidance and a suggestion. ... His alcohol tolerance. He's too sober to make this choice on his own. SDFAJLK ]

[mistsplitter]

[ There's no way to save face here. Ayaka is embarrassed, but it's not even because Cloud made a mistake or anything. It's because this sort of talk, even if they were joking, feels like something that shouldn't even be discussed out loud?!

Ayaka's a very private person, and she knows that Cloud would never tell anybody about what they do in the bedroom. But it does get her to wonder if other people can freely talk about these things with their friends... She might ask him that later on, when they're home.

Now, she won't even talk about it anymore. They should move on. Yoimiya and Tartaglia have had their fun. >:T ]

Ayato used to carry me that way a lot when I was younger. [ So she knows what that means! She's cool. ] Wouldn't it be dangerous if we started running around, though?

[ Not that Cloud would drop her. . . honestly, she'd cling to him like a koala that's wrapped around him with duct tape. Maybe it won't be so bad? She might even have fun in the process. So she looks back at Cloud in response, tilting her head a bit. ]

Would that be okay with you? I should not be too heavy...

TAGGING IN

[sultanofsquat]

[ Thankfully for Ayaka, she's not the only one with that train of thought. Not that he was admonishing the other two for taking advantage of his very poor choice of words, but that Cloud valued his own privacy too. He wasn't a people person. Not for general people he didn't know. But even amongst those closest to him, there were certain topics that you just...didn't breach? Not easily, anyway.

If nothing else, Ayaka's query when they return home wouldn't be fruitless. Even if he never did start talking about these sorts of things with other people (bragging about sex being too bomb with your girlfriend was out of his zone,) he'd...start thinking about it. ]

Guess it depends on where.

[ Would they have enough stretch of land to go? Are they just...racing around the couch? Hopping over it? The more he thinks about just how this was all about to unfold, the more prominent in Cloud's head was the feeling that this was all stupid. Smacking Childe with a pillow was one thing, but now things were getting ramped up. And what would they say about him doing that for her and what would Ayaka think and— ]

[ "Would that be okay with you? I should not be too heavy..." ]

I'll do it.

[ All aboard your stupid beau, Ayaka. Hardly a sigh of resignation either. Yup. That's it. This is what happens when he doesn't get teased into doing something. Cloud decides to return to her side on the couch. ]

I told you before. [ He turns his back to her, looking over his shoulder. Well? Miss Koalamisato? ] You're like a feather.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He grins over to Cloud nervously as his cheek gets tugged on, chuckling a little through his teeth since Yoimiya hasn't let him out of the doghouse for what he did. But at least now he's not getting beaten with pillows, even if it was pretty funny. Still worth.

He watches both Cloud and Ayaka discuss Yoimiya's proposal, pleased with the direction this has gone in. His thoughts are the same as Cloud's; they can't really do this inside. He looks back at Yoimiya, giving her a quick apologetic kiss to her cheek before coming up with an idea to address their new piggyback race competition.]

We'll have to go outside if you want to race. Racing around the apartment building shouldn't be too dangerous, don't you think?

[In fact, it should be perfect. If they wipe, they'll just land on the grass instead of into a coffee table.]

I think Yoimiya and I could give you two a run for your money, haha. Racing is, after all, another sort of battle, and we work pretty well together.

[niwabi]

[ Apology kiss accepted... it does earn him a smile, anyway. But mark her words Harbinger, the nose-pinching incident won't be forgotten! She's already formulating ideas on how to exact her revenge when the time is right. ]

Yeah, I was thinking we take this outside as well. The apartment isn't big enough to run around.

[ Grinning from ear to ear, she too is looking extremely pleased with this turn of events. Engaging in silly little games with Ayaka has been a long-time dream of hers, it warms her heart to see her sweet friend with a loving partner she can let loose and have fun with. She can tell that Cloud has been a wonderful light in Ayaka's life and every time she watches the pair, it's another reminder of how happy she is for them. This has been a night full of fun and laughter that she'll never forget.

Well, minus the red shell and nose pinching... >:c ]

That's right! When Mr. Nose Pincher here isn't being a brat... [ She affectionately says with a laugh, ruffling his ginger locks ] we actually do make a really great team. We've fought quite a few enemies together, so a piggyback race will be a cinch for us.

[mistsplitter]

It might be best to carry me when we are outside, then.

[ Sorry, Cloud. She gives him a tap on the back, at least, to let him know he can relax and wait.

At least it's nighttime and there might be less people outside. It's not so embarrassing!

But now Tartaglia and Yoimiya are talking about how well they work together. Hmm... Ayaka isn't one to brag about anything, but she also wants to hype Cloud, too! She won't back down from this competition. ]

Cloud and I work very well together, as well. There are many times when I don't need to say what I am thinking for him to know it. Hehe.

[ That's why he's the most amazing! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ]

Anyway, shall we go?

[sultanofsquat]

[ Watching Childe and Yoimiya kiss and make up as it were, he can't help letting his expression soften up some. He was (at time still is) awkward around public displays of affection. But Cloud consciously makes the choice to take Ayaka's hand in his. Not just out of an instinct to protect those near him, but because she gives him peace. So, little gestures like this? They don't have the same effect they would have had on him before and when he first arrived in Nippon.

All in all? ... Good on it, you two.

As the couple confidently lay down the gauntlet and speak of their synergy, however, that's a spark he can get behind. He teeters closer to the cockier side he's shown off in the past, but reins himself in just a little. This was about throwing caution to the wind. And if no one was going to judge? He'll step up. ]

Awful confident, stepping up to an Ex-SOLDIER and a Swordmaster.

[ Pointedly looking back at Ayaka on that last part. She taps him on the back, and he hums with a nod again before getting up and turning to her. Holding out his hand, he'll help her to her feet when she's ready. ]

That's right. She's the reason I've gotten stronger. [ In fact, you know what? Leave it to Cloud, Ayaka. He'll be the one to brag for you. Coolly. (￣ヘ￣) ] Gotta keep up if I'm gonna do Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu proud.

[ "Anyway, shall we go?" ]

Let's go.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Chuckling quietly as he gets his hair ruffled by Yoimiya, he listens to their opponent's boasts, whether modest or not, on this race. It doesn't matter what kind of talk it is, fighting talk is fighting talk and Tartaglia is 100% here for it. The expression on his face shifts to a cocky smirk, accepting their challenge as he turns sideways towards the front door.]

Oh ho, seems there really is a bit of a fight in the two of you. Alright, let's see if the Kamisato Arts help you against the might of a Harbinger.

[And with his cute blonde package on his back, he fully turns to lead everyone outside, what could be easily mistaken as an evil laugh given who is it is resonates out from him in anticipation of this duel race.]

Follow me. There's a little strip outside of this apartment building that's suitable for our race, haha.

[niwabi]

[ Ayaka and Cloud are hyping each other up and it's one of the cutest things she's ever witnessed... if she wasn't so fired up with their competition, her heart would have absolutely melted at their sweet display of affection. But, she's thrilled to hear the other couple bragging about each other, it's the kind of fighting spirit Yoimiya enjoys seeing for herself as well. ]

Now that's what I like to hear! With the power of our love, this is going to be the piggyback race of the century.

[ Keeping a steady hold on him, his blonde package has her arms curled around his shoulders. He's already proving his might by carrying her to their designated location before the race has even begun! She laughs alongside her boyfriend... albeit, more chirpy and less sinister than Tartaglia's. It's an ominous-sounding laughter for sure but Yoimiya loves it all the same. ]

Onwards, trusty steed! Lead us to victory!

[ Yes, she's still calling him horsey... her lovely Snezhnayan horse man. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Who knew piggyback races could be so hyped... Arataki Itto could never think of anything like this.

Ayaka takes Cloud's hand and pushes herself up. Whoop! It would be best to let Tartaglia and Yoimiya lead the way outside, since they know where there's a safe and open area for racing. ]

I feel like we must win, if this is the Kamisato Clan versus a Harbinger.

[ And Yoimiya, but you know. Gotta show pride for the family. Ayato would be disappointed if they lost. More disappointed in Cloud than Ayaka, but... still!

She tugs on Cloud's hand to pull him down a little. Worry not though! She gets on the tip of her toes as they walk, as well. What does she whisper? Well, it's just some motivational words about someone getting on their knees for the other once they get home if they win. The usual. wait ]

1/3

[sultanofsquat]

[ Something tells him that in any other world, any other time or place...getting challenged by a Fatui Harbinger would have held severely different connotations. So, Cloud quietly counts his blessings and takes the confident challenge of the other couple in stride. ]

Got a reputation to uphold.

[ If they do fall in the heat of battle, the onus will fall upon Cloud. Fret not, Ayaka. He'll always be your fall guy. 🥹 ]

...?

[ That's when she tug tugs on his hand to pull him down. And he slows just enough that he can lean back and inward to Ayaka's whisper. At first, his expression is more one of concern. Was everything okay? Was she nervous? Was she— ]

2/3

[sultanofsquat]

[ His mouth hangs open. He blinks. Blink blinks. His face turns red. When suddenly, ]

3/3

[sultanofsquat]

Sorry, Tartaglia.

[ And by extension, Yoimiya. As his back straightens and he gives Ayaka's hand a firm squeeze. His expression is so serious. ]

But I just decided you're going to lose.

[ Damn, that is some M O T I V A T I O N she must have give him. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He has to snort at Yoimiya, still calling him her steed. Quietly, he smirks back at her and says,]

You're really enjoying this whole horse thing, aren't you?

[As if he really needs to ask the question. He can hear Cloud and Ayaka have their exchange, not initially having seen this as a contest between the Kamisato Clan and the Fatui, but if that's the framework they want to put it in, all the better. If it gives him good competition, that's all that matters. His head turns around to look back when addressed, his eyebrow raised at the sudden declaration, clearly amused by Cloud's confidence.]

That so? I hope you live up to those words, or else I'll make sure you won't ever forget this moment.

[He wonders what Ayaka said to him. Maybe he doesn't want to know.]

[niwabi]

[ In response to his question, she simply giggles. Nuzzling her head into his shoulder, the answer only becomes even more painfully obvious, she adores her Harbinger steed.

And naturally, she's going to show support for her sweetheart! Things just got even more interesting with Ayaka and Cloud's declaration. Likewise, Yoimiya didn't see it as a face-off between the Kamisato Clan and the Fatui but so long as everyone is having fun, then she's over the moon! She has no doubt that Tartaglia is also pleased with this turn of events, especially if the pair give him a run for his money.

She spots Ayaka standing on her tiptoes to whisper something into her beau's ear. Maybe it's her imagination but Cloud seems even more motivated?! Whatever she said must have really fired him up. Interesting...!!! ]

Hehe, how exciting! I believe this is the first time I've faced off with the Kamisato Clan. Get ready, Ayaka, Cloud! The Harbinger-Naganohara team is a force to be reckoned with.

[ SORRY AYAKA she probably sounds like the biggest traitor rn ;;; Gotta throw in her hat to support the boyfriend. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka had whispered something similar to Cloud before, and it most certainly worked! He played a perfect game of darts against some old men in Coldreach and it was amazing!! She has most certainly learned how to motivate her beau. ]

We can do it, Cloud!

[ She pumps her fists as she cheers for him. It's not like she would be able to do much during the race, anyway. It's really all Cloud.

Once they're out and have reached a nice clearing, Ayaka looks at her sandals and wonders if she should take them off. That would probably be easier, right? So she takes a seat on the nearby bench to remove them. ]

So... what should the rules be?

[sultanofsquat]

[ Ayaka was his #1 motivational speaker. And all it took was one, maybe two sentences to get her campaign across! She is. Very efficient. (: Ayaka's pump of her fists is matched by Cloud's little clench of one himself as they reach the nice clearing outside their little abode. His gaze settles over to Ayaka again when she's inspecting her sandals, and without saying anything, he can tell what she's thinking. He wouldn't have minded either way (she's the one that's gonna be a koala on his back), but also not having to go run around collecting her sandals if they went flying off was something they can also easily avoid. Especially if she's not gonna be touching the ground with her socks!

Water seems fine though. ]

Thinking either a lap around, or from one end and back. It's only a little race.

[ And yet, by just even suggesting, he's getting more into it than he thought he would now that they're actually here. But in the end, this also boils down to Tartaglia and Yoimiya! They're the ones that threw down the gauntlet. They're the ones that answered. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[With lines drawn and all competitors fired up to win this race, Tartaglia is getting excited now. But he realizes there's one last thing to really spice things up, something that's missing from their competition besides clear cut rules to how it'll all go down. And you can't be missing any component to a competition, or it's just not as fun.]

One lap around the building sounds like as good of a plan as any. And, we should probably refrain from using our abilities- it wouldn't be fair if I used my delusion and ran around the building in only a mere few seconds.

[That or if Cloud had teleportation or something like that he didn't know about...that wouldn't be fair either.]

That and we haven't chosen a prize for our little competition here.

[niwabi]

[ The competition is coming together, everyone is getting pumped, and Yoimiya is over the moon with this turn of events. The rules are perfectly sound to her and so, she gets herself ready by keeping a steady hold on Tartaglia's shoulders. ]

Oooh, good thinking Tartaglia! Prizes always make competitions exciting. [ What would be a good reward? HMMM... Yoimiya rubs her chin in thought, pondering to herself. ] Maybe the losing couple has to buy dinner for our next outing together?

[ A thinly veiled excuse to go on another double date with Ayaka and Cloud, not that she needs much of one. Buuuut, she had such a splendid evening full of fun and laughter with her friends and boyfriend that she would like to do this again in the future! It truly means the world to her to see the two people she adores forming rapport with her beloved. ]

[mistsplitter]

[ Well, Cloud already knows what reward he's going to get if they win. But having a reward for both of them sounds nice!

Yoimiya's suggestion certainly seems like a good one, and that does make her excited for future get-togethers like this! ]

Yes, that sounds like a good idea.

[ She gives Cloud a smile, because it does seem exciting, doesn't it? They usually like their alone time and their privacy, because it feels like they're the only ones who can properly understand the other and they bring each other to such a safe space. But having more double dates with Yoimiya and Tartaglia sounds fun!

Perhaps they can all go to that pub they went to in Coldreach and play darts some time. ]

The winning couple will pick where to eat, as well.

[sultanofsquat]

[ If Cloud had any interactions with bigger social gatherings, he was content in being the one on the sidelines. Keeping quiet or lending himself to a smaller group so he doesn't feel overwhelmed. He didn't have plans to become the life of any party, but...he'd be a liar. A bold-faced liar if he said that the time he spent between Nippon and the realm of Ellipsa hadn't created a shift in him. Just a little. Enough that the proposal by the other couple doesn't make him pause out of reluctance anymore.

Instead, her beau coolly answers right after her, hands on his hips with confidence: ]

You're on, you two.

[ He'd warn that he can have a big appetite, but he already did his friendly smack talk on the way out to the park. Returning Ayaka's smile with a matching confident one of his own before his attention briefly shifts to Tartaglia. The mention of a Delusion... That's different from a Vision. Yet he can see on his person the Element of Hydro. Was...that not a Vision then? A question for another time. ]

So it's just good old endurance, then. [ This is going to be so silly and yet, there's a little bit of pride he feels he needs to protect for both his and Ayaka's sake in it all. ] Copy that.

[ Right, then. Seeing Yoimiya take a steady grip of her boyfriend's shoulders, he'll bend down for Ayaka once they've reached what they've pegged as the starting line. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Buying dinner sounds like a perfectly fine prize to him, and with his confidence, he's certain that they'd win it- and subsequently probably ending up paying for the outing after their prize dinner date, so it would end up being even in the end anyhow. He's more in it for the fun and satisfaction of a healthy competition anyway, and testing himself in new ways, even if it's something as simple as a piggy back race around an apartment building.

And it would be nice to have an excuse to go out with the two of them again. Tartaglia definitely wouldn't mind at all spending more time with them.]

Then it's settled.

[He replies with a smirk, shifting Yoimiya on his back in a way that's most comfortable for him, getting himself psyched up for this race.]

Let's start here, [he says, conjuring up one of his own hydro blades that snaps into existence into his hand and sinking it into the grass.]

This will be our starting point and finish line. I don't think I need to explain the rules, just line up behind it and get ready. Perhaps the girls can yell when we can take off? No cheating now, you can't give a little squeeze to tip us off that you're about to start the race.